The Cowboys had a clear linebacker target in mind, but that door has now slammed shut.
Miami and Jordyn Brooks have agreed to a three-year, $51.3 million extension that includes $35 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That deal removes any real chance Dallas had of landing the veteran linebacker, even though the Cowboys reportedly discussed a Brooks trade earlier this offseason.
For a team that came out of the draft sounding like it wasn’t in a rush to make another roster move before camp, this is the latest sign that nothing is imminent at The Star. Brian Schottenheimer, Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones all gave off that vibe after the draft, and for now, the Cowboys appear content to wait.
Still, Brooks would have been a tempting answer. If Dallas could have picked any linebacker to handle the green dot in Christian Parker’s defense, Brooks would have been near the top of the list. He put together a massive 2025 season, even if it got buried under Miami’s 7-10 finish and the firing of both the general manager and head coach.
Brooks didn’t just pile up numbers. He led the league with 183 combined tackles and 99 solo tackles, then earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
Tackles alone can be a shaky way to judge a linebacker, but Brooks is one of the exceptions. He covers ground, diagnoses plays quickly and keeps showing up where the ball is.
That’s why the idea of him in Dallas carried so much weight. The Cowboys have long been viewed as a team that only needs an average defense to stay in the playoff mix, especially if Dak Prescott stays healthy. Adding Brooks would have raised that ceiling in a major way.
A group built around Quinnen Williams, Brooks, DeMarvion Overshown, Caleb Downs and Kenny Clark, with Christian Parker coordinating it all, would have had real top-10 potential.
Instead, the Cowboys are back where they started. Unless another move comes along, they’ll be leaning on DeMarvion Overshown and trade acquisition Dee Winters at linebacker. It’s a fast, intriguing pairing, but it comes with obvious risk because neither player has proven much yet.
From Dallas’ perspective, there may not be much to criticize here. The Dolphins, entering Year 1 of a full rebuild, never seemed eager to move their defensive centerpiece.
So the search continues.
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